Indian cuisine is all about indulgence! From flavourful snacks to rich and robust curries to ghee-laden parathas, Indian food are not just full of flavours but are also healthy. But some may think that healthy dishes mean bland and boring? But did you know that with mindful eating and certain tweaks, any dish can be turned into healthy dishes without compromising on taste?! These healthy dishes may also help manage various lifestyle diseases. Diabetes, for instance, is one condition that is irreversible but can be managed by certain food choices that we make and guess what? Indian cuisine has plenty of such healthier options!
The rotis and parathas itself in many regional Indian cuisines can be moulded into healthier ones that can also be added to a diabetes diet. Thalipith is one multi-grain flatbread from Maharashtra that is made with a combination of four flours, including Bajra, whole wheat and a bit of rice flour along with besan. It can be eaten in both breakfast and lunch paired with chutney or sabzi of your choice. Brimming with fibre and protein, thalipith is a wholesome dish that makes you feel full, takes time to digest and prevents sugar spikes in the blood, managing the sugar levels well.
(Also Read: Diabetes: This Comforting Methi-Moong Dal May Help Manage Blood Sugar Levels)
You can pair thalipith with some chuney or curd.
Bajra is a gluten-free pseudo-grain that is known to have low-carbohydrate content along with low glycaemic index that is suggested in a diabetes diet. As per Consultant Nutritionist Rupali Datta, "A good content of magnesium present in Bajra has been associated with lowering the risk of diabetes. Besides this, the amount of fibre in it along with slowly digestible starch takes longer to convert into glucose and further helps in managing the blood sugar levels."
(Also Read: Diabetes Diet: This Bajra-Cauliflower Roti May Help Managing Blood Sugar Levels)
Here we have an excellent, quick and easy recipe of Maharashtrian thalipith with the addition of methi (fenugreek), which is already well-known for its anti-diabetes qualities. According to many studies, methi is perhaps the only food with an unusual amino acid called 4HO-Ile that has possible anti-diabetic qualities such as enhancing insulin secretion and increasing insulin sensitivity.
Here is the recipe of Methi Thalipith that you can try at home for a diabetic-friendly diet:
Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour (atta)
1 cup bajra flour
1/2 cup rice flour
1/2 cup besan
1/2 cup methi leaves (finely chopped)
1/2 tsp chilli powder
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp turmeric (haldi)
1 tsp dhania powder
1 tsp cumin powder
Oil as required
Method:
1. Mix the flours and roast lightly in a pan or a griddle. Add methi leaves, chilli powder, salt, haldi, dhania powder and jeera powder.
2. Knead to a firm dough with some water.
3. Roll into thin rotis and cook over a tawa (griddle), smearing just a teaspoon of oil on both sides, till crisp.
Try super-easy and diabetic-friendly Thalipith at home, paired with chutney or dahi and share your experience with us in the comments section below.